Traveling after nursing school

elkpark · May 11, 2016

Yes, it will.

Kharma711 · May 11, 2016

It's not going to be impossible to get a job if you wait.... but it will make it harder. I graduated May 2015, took NCLEX in July. I was in the process of relocating to GA. I didn't move until August due to financial issues.... from there it took me 2 months, hundreds of applications and tons of disappointment to find a job...

I didn't even wait toon long in between and still I had a lot of trouble. Mind you, other factors could be I'm ADN instead of BSN and educated halfway across the country...

Good luck!

curious nature, ADN, RN · May 23, 2016

The day after passing the NCLEX, I had major surgery which limited lifting, etc., for about two months, but I had no problem getting a job, once I got on my feet and was cleared by my surgeon. I live near a major city in the south, so it might be more competitive in other areas. I have switched jobs a few times in the past couple of years, and haven't had any problems. Good luck to you!

allnurses Guide · May 23, 2016

Yes. It will. You have only ONE YEAR from the time of your graduation to get into a job and get yourself established as a working nurse. Considering that nearly 50% of new grad nurses are still unemployed at the six month mark, that makes that first year very crucial. After that you are considered an "old new grad". Meaning there has been at least two new nursing classes who have graduated since you have, making their book knowledge of nursing, which is the ONLY thing a new grad has going for them, more recent than yours. Bang. Your opportunities are dead at that point. They wonder why you have not been employed yet that far out. They have tons to choose from, none of whom raise those kinds of questions simply from looking at their resume. You don't have much chance of being picked for an interview.

One or two week vacation? Okay. Sure. Traveling for several months? Nope. Do not advise it.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · May 31, 2016

FWIW, I know of two major healthcare systems that 'red flag' any inexperienced new grad who graduated >6 months ago. They just don't hire them - based on evidence from their own HR data.

WrekDiver88 · May 31, 2016

It might... I was actually in the same situation as you in that I wanted to go backpacking for >6 after I graduated. I ended up deciding to get my first job, worked a little over a year, then took the 6 months off to go backpacking.

As the previous poster said, many hospitals will not even consider a new grad that graduated over six months ago, and after a year it will be near impossible. The other problem that you will run into, is most larger hospitals plan their new grad positions/residencies around the graduation dates, and if you miss this window it will make it more difficult. You might have a bit more flexibility in some community hospitals, or states with a larger shortage, but big academic hospitals are the best experience/teaching for new grads, and look the best on a resume.

After you have a year of solid experience you should be fine taking off for some extended travel. I have a little over 2.5 years experience now, and I am getting ready to do another trip in July for 8-12 months. Just get that first year of solid experience, and then travel all you want. Plus you will have more money for a longer trip, or the option to do travel nursing if you want then also. Or, if you really want to travel now, make your priority passing the NCLEX and finding a job, then see if you can set a start date that will allow you a month or two off to travel before the start of your new job.